88-keys Graded KBs

[mingguan]

Mingguan will be able to tell you how much the S90 cost - he did a lot of research into pricing of Yamaha products lately...

Eh... I don't know the price of S90 as it it is not in my consideration because it don't have USB (to device), it only have USB (to Host).

I bought S90 ES with SGD3825.
However, if you want cheaper way, you may try to get some way to buy it in Japan (price about SGD3300) and then find a way to deliver to singapore & pay the GST (if charged). (only problem is Warranty)

Maybe I share with you why I come to decision of YAMAHA S90ES.
hm...
don'tknow who ever state this "...when you buy a keyboard, if you not satisfied with the sound of your keyboard, you can always buy a sound module; if you not satisfied with the touch/feel, you have no way but to change the keyboard..."

thus, I quite satisfied with YAMAHA's touch/feel, thus I choose YAMAHA.
But The reason I choose S90 ES instead of S90, MOTIF 8 or MOTIF ES8:-
- the new S700 piano sample (S90 have older sample but MOTIF/ES totally don't have),
- Half Damper sustain function (which S90, MOTIF/ES don't have),
- USB-to-device (which S90 & MOTIF 8 don't have, but they have SmartMedia slot).
... etc. (don't wanna say too much else people may thought I am promoter for S90 ES).

Although S90/ES don't have build-in sequencer, but I think software sequencer will be easier than hardware sequencer (unless you need to do sequencing in LIVE gig).

hm...
as a conclusion, you should clearly know what you need. Some of the advantage stated by me may not applicable to you.
you may take our opinions as reference but the decision should be still made by you.

Have Fun! :wink:

i already gone through the same process, now is your turn.

 

[Cheez]

The S90 does have the half-damper function - but must use the Yamaha sustain pedal (latest model).

I have the S90 - feels excellent. Of course, I didn't get it for the sound (as Mingguan pointed out - all ROMplers sound pale in comparison with samplers, which I'm using).

The beauty of the S90/S90ES is (besides the excellent touch) the 4 faders controls. For sequencing, these are very helpful as they are individually programmable. You can get quite a lot out of these even with the sounds that comes in the keyboard. Of course, nowadays, many synths have multiple faders. But the S90/S90ES faders can be programmed very quickly and on-the-fly. One button and you can quickly switch between different sets of controls. Don't have to dig into the menus.

As for the USB thingy, I think it is a minor thing to be able to store to USB drives since midi files are usually very small. It is a matter of preference. I think the biggest difference between the S90 and S90ES is still the slightly different template of sounds. I think the prices doesn't differ too much.

 

[mingguan]

...Graded keys are out of the pict rite. Graded stage pianos (like Yamaha P series) don't come with a pitch bend wheel. So i've probably gotta settle for balanced weighted keys..

FYI, quote by Cheez in another thread.

..."Graded" means that the weight of the keys differ throughout the keyboard - heavier on the lower keys and lighter on the higher keys. This is how the actual piano feels like, so it is meant to simulate the "real" piano touch. Graded, therefore, only applies to weighted keys.

The pro of this is that you get a realistic piano feel. The con is that you will have problem during sequencing. In sequencing different instruments, you want every key to be evenly weighted so that you don't run into trouble of uneven velocities - particularly in sequencing drums.t...

 

[mingguan]

The S90 does have the half-damper function - but must use the Yamaha sustain pedal (latest model). .

Eh...
I thought S90 does not support FC3 pedal...only S90 ES & some P series that does (From what I know based on internet info).

I think the biggest difference between the S90 and S90ES is still the slightly different template of sounds..

Physically, the 2 wheels shifted to left side of lowest key. Thus the length of S90 ES become longer than S90.



ACjam, if you are really go for YAMAHA product, remember to get the YAMAHA music card before purchse. just go to any of the Branch & get the form to fill it up. it is FREE & last for 2 years.

As Currently there are no promotion.
So you may only get 8~10% disc after getting the Yamaha Music Card.
(they will issue you on the spot you filled the form, & you can use it immediately).

Another alternative is find a YAMAHA teacher, or any Piano teacher who is in PTC (Piano Teacher Circle) to recommend you for purchase. I think the discount is slightly higher, which is about 10~13%. (Hope YAMAHA sales people won't go after me since I has disclose so many discount things).

 

[Cheez]

Hmm. Must have got my info wrong ... again. Thought I read that in my manual. But you may be right that S90 does not support F3 pedals. May have mixed up with the P series.

 

[mingguan]

Cheez, I can anticipate that I'll be keep irritate you to advise me once I got my S90 ES. :lol:
(but don't know how long will it take for shipment... as YAMAHA just place order to Japan)

ACjam, pls note that currenly S90ES is out of Stock in all YAMAHA branches (include their warehouse), unless you want the display set (which I don't recommend).

 

[ACjam]

Fwah great info Mingguan. I'm just wondering now, S90ES is cheaper than ES 8 in the thousands, supposedly has the ES sounds as well, and seems to fit my taste quite well. How come it's cheaper then? What can the Motif ES do that the S90ES cannot? Sorry, I did my research but still rather ignorant. And display set got discount anot? heh

 

[bongman]

you may check out: wwww.yamahasynth.com

Motif ES:
http://www.yamahasynth.com/products/motifes/specifications.html

S90 ES
http://www.yamahasynth.com/products/s90es/specifications.html


Motif ES is Yamaha current flagship synth

 

[mingguan]

...S90ES is cheaper than ES 8 in the thousands...

In fact, is SGD1500 cheaper.

[quote="ACjam...What can the Motif ES do that the S90ES cannot?...[/quote]

- S90ES doesn't come with On-board Sequencer. You only can connect to Computer & use software sequencer.
- S90ES doen't have sampling capablity.
- although having same basic waveform 1859 (but S90ES have additional 76 waveform for S700 piano), S90ES only have 4 preset voices (instead of 6 preset in MOTIF ES8).
- MOTIF ES8 have additional Ribbon Controller & 4 Assignable Knobs.
- MOTIF ES8 have SmartMedia Card Slot.
- MOTIF ES8 heavier, biger (but slightly shorter)...etc
other spec about the same...
(for more detail you need to study the link provided by Bongman liao...as I maybe miss out anything)

... display set got discount anot?...

Not Sure... but don't think so...you better call them & check.
Not recomended.
But if you can accept display set , get the one (S90ES) which display in PS, only 1&1/2 months old.

 

[LuZeR]

So mingguan,

you bought the S90ES from PS? The price you quote is it after discount or it is the current listed price? After much internal debate and disputes happening in my head, I finally told myself to get either the S90 or S90ES. Right now, it is just a matter of value for money.

 

[mingguan]

you bought the S90ES from PS?

Nope! Is from Thomson Plaza.
but no matter which YAMAHA branch you go, the price is same.

The price you quote is it after discount or it is the current listed price?

S90ES for SGD3825 is after 15% discount.
(Original price SGD4500)

it is just a matter of value for money.

It is very subjective.
depend on yourself.

 

[ACjam]

If not for the fact that S90ES can't do sampling, i would have gone for it given it's lower price. I was considering the Roland X8 but read reviews of its keys repetition-rate bein slow. I also didn't have the chance to test the X8 out myself. SweeLee's KBs available for tryin are mostly non-weighted cept for the digi pianos. Plus the X8 is like 1000+ more ex than the ES 8. So with much contemplation, I think im sorta bent on the ES 8, given its touch, sounds and capabilities. Of coz if i were rich, i'd go for the oasys or the k2600. haha. next time la. Thanx so much guys for all ur info and help. Really appreciate it.

 

[ACjam]

oh yeah..can i clarify sumthing with u guys? I noticed in the motif es specs, the 'sampling memory' is optionally installed. Meaning, they don't have any internal memory i can load my samples into issit?

 

[Cheez]

Roland keys are less reponsive than Yamaha keys and hence gives a slower "repetition rate". Well, this depends on personal preference again. Some acoustic pianos have heavier keys than others - that does not mean that pianists playing on that piano cannot play fast repetition notes. Most of the time, the slower response should not be a problem during playing. Since playing the hammond on weighted keys will always have some drawbacks, the biggest difference comparing Yamaha and Roland weighted keys during "hammond-style playing" is when playing repeated demi-semiquavers on a single note. Roland keys will have more difficulty when playing this.

I've been playing Roland weighted keys for years and I find them OK - although I still prefer Yamaha. If you're considering Roland (and you don't need a workstation), try out the RD700SX. Great piano and hammond sounds. But you won't get any of those electronic music sounds since RD700SX is a stage piano and not a synthesizer. The touch between the Fantom and the RD700SX should be the same - both high end keys in their categories.

Is the sampling function that important to you? In other words, are you into electronic music? If not, it is a lot of extra money to pay for. The sampling memory in the Motif does appear to be an optional extra. They are not very clear, but I think you're right in that you'll need to get more memory to have your own samples. Otherwise, you'll be using the build-in samples they have in their ROM.

In my opinion, the extra features between the Yamaha Motif and S series can be easily replaced using software at a lower cost (and with increased versatility). Of course, that will mean an extra piece of hardware (ie at least a notebook). But some people like to have all in one - then Motif will be the choice.

 

[mingguan]

... they don't have any internal memory i can load my samples into issit?

Seems like it is.
I not so sure... 8O

I was considering the Roland X8 but read reviews of its keys repetition-rate bein slow

The touch between the Fantom and the RD700SX should
be the same - both high end keys in their categories

ACjam, I think you may need to try it out to feel the different instead.
Just like if I never mentioned about "Balanced" & "Graded" on YAMAHA keyboard, you won't even know it (even you have tried it out).
it is purely personal preference.

the extra features between the Yamaha Motif and S series can be easily replaced using software at a lower cost (and with increased versatility). ...

a sequencer software (SQ01) is included in S90/S90ES.

 

[Cheez]

I never received my software with my S90. That's what comes with buying things overseas. But then I'm already using Logic, so I don't really care. When you received your S90ES, do tell us how that bundled software is.

 

[mingguan]

I never received my software with my S90. ... But then I'm already using Logic, ... do tell us how that bundled software is.

Cheez, You didn't received the bundled CD ROM?
Sccording to the web, it should be.
http://www.yamahasynth.com/products/s90/bundledcdrom.html
It come with the sequencer software & voice editor.

But i guess the sequencer software should be some sort of basic sequencer.
maybe not as powerful as those in the market.

 

[mingguan]

a sequencer software (SQ01) is included in S90/S90ES.

Sorry that I have made a mistake.
after verified with info in the yamaha website again, I realised that SQ01 only bundled in MOTIF series, MOTIF ES series, S08 & S90.

It is NOT bundled in S90ES.